Top Of The Class looks battle ready

TOP OF THE CLASS looked in top condition on the exercise course at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday as he closed off preparations for tomorrow’s Handicap 1 and Lower feature on the Arima Race Club Day 33 card. The 2003 triple crown winner noted for his ability to set torrid fractions, looked relaxed in clocking 37.55 seconds on the clock for a 600 metres gallop. This solo spin was one of the more serious gallops on the morning, in which evidence was clear that trainers have completed major preparations with their runners. The four-year-old son of Freshly Squeezed/Crescendo who finished with a flourish to fill third spot behind Miss Lover Lover and Fantastic Story in the Sagicor Independence Cup Trophy earlier this year, will be using tomorrow’s race on the turf course as a warn up before he defends the Caribbean Champion Stakes on November 27.

Magen has been performing below expectations, but the Neal Greaves acquisition showed a good coat and carried himself nicely over the last 400 metres of the course in an easy 26.00 seconds. Native Love was another to show some spring in her steps. The Maniram Maharaj-trained filly stretched out over 600 metres in 40.93 seconds with race-day rider Lorne Keizer aboard. The Chairman and V For Victory won laurels over the 800 metres trip. These old campaigners matched strides to clock 51.46 seconds, best time on the morning. Locally-bred two-year-olds Border Dispute and Flying Millie took to their work well. The pair of Jack Debideen-trained youngsters held together over 800 metres in 54.16 seconds, and were still going strong long after passing the winning post.   

Gallops recorded yesterday:
400 METRES: Gold Conveyor - 26.91, handily; Free Fun - 27.00, handily; Joint Account - 26.70, handily; Bon Voyage - 29.99, pacing; Really Quiet - 29.93, pacing; Soul Asylum - 28.89, pacing; Atlantic Breeze - 29.98, pacing; Phantom Bidder - 29.99, pacing; Comanchero - 28.96, pacing; 2-Sharp - 27.17, pacing; Fresh Love - 29.91, pacing; Inthelineoffire - 28.99, pacing; Chief Commander - 29.89, pacing; Pure Delight - 29.22, pacing; Ex Sparkling Hero - 28.70, pacing; The Night Man, Fresh Appearance and Baby Mass - 29.56, pacing. 

600 METRES: Top Of The Class - 37.55, handily; Justice - 38.24, handily; Sky Storm Rising - 41.92, handily;  Native Love - 40.93, handily; Invincibility - 42.17, pacing; Tactical Bid - 44.58, pacing; Mucho Tempo - 44.96, pacing; On The Mark - 44.99, pacing; Ichiban - 44.97, pacing; Alert The Ship - 44.93, pacing; Millenium Reign - 42.74, pacing; Mystic River - 44.99, pacing; Imasekha and Fresh Wings - 44.90, pacing; Heaven Sent and Condoleza - 43.99, pacing.

800 METRES: The Chairman and V For Victory - 51.46, handily; Border Dispute and Flying Millie - 54.11, handily; Golden Honour - 55.86, handily; Copy Cat - 54.34, handily; Trini To D Bone - 59.97, pacing; Maid Of Honour - 59.18, pacing; Mandela - 57.41, pacig; Fantastic Lad - 59.98, pacing; Piece Of Cake - 57.06, pacing; Cash Wager - 58.56, pacing.

1000 METRES: Supremely Satisfied - 1:14.13, pacing; Super Grey - 1:14.40, pacing; Runaway Rocket - 1:14.96, pacing; Trini Express and Sequin - 1:13.84, pacing; Smooth Operator - 1:14.77, pacing; Pave The Way and Ex Miss Priority - 1:14.15, pacing.